COMMERCIAL DESCRIPTIONThis unique ale begins its life as a powerful and richly sweet stout to which Michigan tart cherries are added. The resulting black brew is complex, sweet and tart with a distinct cherry finish. It will improve with cellaring.
Available September - May

Type: 12-oz. bottle
Glass: Karl Strauss 26th anniversary snifter glass
From: Palm Springs Liquor in La Mesa (San Diego), Calif.
Price: $2.99
Purchased: June 14, 2015
Consumed: June 19, 2015
Misc.: Born on Nov. 6, 2014
Poured a pitch black color with 1-to-2 fingers of dark tan, frothy head, that thinned out rather quickly. Light amount of foamy lacing on the sides of the glass. Below average retention on the top all the way down. (Sight - 3.50)
First smell was dark chocolate, coffee and roast malts. Second go around was dark cherry, cherry nuts, cherry wood, dark cocoa, chocolate milkshake and toffee. Not as pronounced cherry as I would have thought though. (Smell - 3.75)
Tasted a little better than the nose, but not as good as I was hoping. Got dark chocolate, roasty malts, smoky fire, tart black cherries, toffee, caramel, chocolate covered cherries, chocolate milk, fudge, toffee, caramel, faint Ben & Jerry’s Cherry Garcia and dark cranberry. (Taste - 3.88)
Full-to-medium body. Sticky texture. Average carbonation. Long, smooth finish. Best part of beer by far. (Feel - 4.50)
I have to say I was disappointed overall. I did like it, just not as much as I thought I would. I’d still have it again. (Overall - 3.88)
3.90 88 B+

8th May 2015: in a flight of six at the excellent Brewhouse, San Juan Capistrano, Orange County, Black rick body with a tan topping. Malty with sour cherries, just as the brewery claim: interesting and different, I liked it,

Btl 10/08/13 pours an opaque dark dirty motor oil brown color. Huge,thick,dark tan head that vanishes quickly leaving spots of lace on glass. Smells of chocolate,toffee,caramel, toasty grain,a hint of bitter coffee, with some fruity aromas. Tastes of bittersweet chocolate,sour cherries,toffee,and roasted grains. Medium body, lively carbonation,soft yet viscous mouthfeel, smooth tart finish. Ok I did not like this beer at first. As it warmed up and I consumed more it grew on me. This really is a good stout. I wish I had a six pack. I also would have liked to try it fresh. If they used sweet cherries( Washington/Montana) I bet this would be phenomenal!

Very dark and opaque pour, thin dark tan head with a reddish tinge. Light aroma of coffee, chocolate, and fruit. Aggressively sour taste, light but quite distinct cherry-pruney flavor which is impressively dry. Unsweetened chocolate with faint coffee. Cherry seems natural and particularly unsweetened. Interesting and very unique, I very much enjoyed this beer.

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